The Divided Family by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online Page A

it notarized, he took it out of the rolltop desk. Then he showed me the manila envelope, which he kept in a plastic bag, so if something were spilled on it, no harm would be done.” She paused and drew in another breath. “About that time, we heard a commotion going on outside with the horses. So Eustace handed me the bag and asked if I’d put the will back in the desk.”
    “But it wasn’t in the desk, Aunt Verna. Arlene and I looked through every drawer and cubby.”
    “That’s because it was in the freezer.”
    “But how’d it get there?”
    “I don’t actually remember doing it.” Aunt Verna glanced around, as though searching for answers. “I realize now how it must have happened. I had a bag of peas in one hand, and the will in the other. I must have put them both in the freezer by mistake.” She paused, rubbing her chin. “Then, anxious to know what was going on with the horses, I hurried outside and forgot that your daed had asked me to put the will away in his desk.”
    Elsie sat in stunned silence. The freezer was the last place she would have thought to look for Dad’s will. Now that it had been found, she needed to notify her siblings and call everyone together so the will could be read.

    Akron
    Joel was about to stop working for the day when his cell phone rang. Seeing it was Elsie, he answered the call.
    “Hi, Joel. I’m calling to let you know Dad’s will’s been found.”
    Joel released a throaty laugh. “Well, hallelujah! It’s about time! Where’d ya find it?”
    “In Dad’s freezer.”
    His head jerked back. “Say what?”
    “It was inside a plastic bag behind some frozen peas.”
    “I knew our dad was eccentric, but what in the world was he thinking, putting the will in the freezer? How did he think we’d ever find it there?”
    Elsie cleared her throat. “Actually, it was Aunt Verna who put the will in the freezer, but she did it without thinking.”
    “I would say so. No one with half a brain would do something that stupid on purpose.” Joel’s face heated. “I—I didn’t mean she was stupid. It just doesn’t make sense that she would put Dad’s will in the freezer.”
    “Dad had shown her the document, and when he went outside to check on the horses, Aunt Verna got sidetracked and accidently put it in the freezer along with the bag of peas.” Elsie paused. “Would you be able to meet with us tomorrow evening for the reading of the will?”
    “Why wait that long? I’m free tonight. Can’t we do it then?”
    “It wouldn’t give me time to notify everyone and make plans to get together. I’ll speak to Arlene and Doris, then call you as soon as we have a definite time and place.”
    “Okay, whatever.” Joel released a noisy breath.
I should realize by now that we’re operating on Amish time, not mine.

    Berlin
    Joel’s heart pounded as he neared Doris’s house. He had been counting the minutes all day, anxious to get here this evening for the reading of Dad’s will. He’d had a hard time sleeping last night, wondering what his share of the inheritance would be. The only thing that helped him get through this day was keeping busy on the job he’d begun yesterday.
    When Joel started up his sister’s driveway, he spotted three buggies parked near the barn.
I wonder who else is here besides Arlene and Elsie. Sure hope they didn’t invite anyone outside the family to join us. This is no one’s business but ours.
    He turned off the car and got out. Taking the steps two at a time, Joel knocked on the door. He was greeted by Brian, who invited him in. “Everyone’s in the living room waiting for you.”
    Joel removed his jacket and hung it on a wall peg, then followed Brian into the next room. Doris sat in the recliner with her leg propped up, while Elsie, John, Arlene, and Larry were seated on the couch. Joel spotted Aunt Verna in the rocking chair. “Are you here for the reading of Dad’s will?”
    She tilted her head. “Excuse me. What was